Star-studded lineup for Obama speech

The final night of the Democratic National Convention -- an open-air affair at the home of the Denver Broncos -- will feature Barack Obama's acceptance speech, an all-star lineup of entertainers, and perhaps a big-name surprise.

The Illinois senator, who was officially nominated Wednesday night in the DNC's final night at the Pepsi Center, will give his acceptance speech sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. MDT Thursday at Invesco Field at Mile High in front of some 75,000 spectators.

The "prime time" speech will be carried live by all broadcast and cable networks covering the convention. The evening will also feature performances by several music stars, DNC officials announced.

Colorado jam-rock group Yonder Mountain String Band is scheduled to play sometime before the opening gavel at about 3 p.m. MDT. Academy Award winning actress and "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson is slated to sing the national anthem.

Between 5 and 6 p.m. MDT, will.i.am -- member of the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas -- will perform, accompanied by John Legend on piano, the official schedule shows. Singer Sheryl Crow is also scheduled for that hour. Then, between 6 and 7 p.m. MDT, soul legend Stevie Wonder will perform. Between 7 and 8 p.m., singer Michael McDonald is on the bill.

As for the surprise, rumors have been circulating for days that rocker Bruce Springsteen -- who has endorsed Obama -- would perform Thursday night shortly before or after the candidate's speech.

Springsteen's tune "The Rising" has been an Obama campaign theme and a recording of it was played Wedneday when the candidate made a suprise appearance after vice presidential nominee Joe Biden's acceptance speech at the Pepsi Center.Veteran Rocky Mountain News pop-music critic Mark Brown reported Monday that "multiple sources," which he didn't name, had confirmed to him that Springsteen and fellow New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi would perform at Invesco.

Other media have attribued the rumor to Obama aides. But on Wednesday, both Politico and Atlantic Monthly reported on their websites that Springsteen would not be playing at Invesco, both citing an unnamed Obama aide.

Whether or not "The Boss" appears, the evening will feature speeches by several Colorado political leaders. Between 3 and 5 p.m., the schedule includes Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, John Salazar and Diana DeGette, as well as Denver Host Committee chairwoman Elbra Wedgeworth. Between 6 and 7 p.m., U.S. Rep. Mark Udall -- candidate for U.S. Senate -- will address delegates.

The evening will also offer talks by Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, and (shortly before 7 p.m.) former Vice President Al Gore. At this point, the weather looks favorable for the address.

The National Weather Service forecast for downtown Denver for Thursday night calls for "mostly clear [conditions], with a low around 54. East wind at 10 mph becoming south." Daytime temperatures should reach about 81, the Weather Service predicts.

Interstate 25 will be closed through downtown Denver during Obama's speech for security reasons. A 5-1/2 mile stretch of the freeway between Sixth Avenue and Interstate 70 will close at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, then reopen after the convention session concludes, the Colorado Department of Transportation says.

Friday morning's commute will not be affected, officials say. Commuters who would otherwise use I-25 can find an alternate route at the CDOT website, www.dot.state.co.us. Officials said motorists driving through Denver can use Interstate 225 or the E-470 tollway to bypass the city.

Southbound motorists approaching the city on I-25 from the north will still be able to use the “Mousetrap” interchange to access I-70 during the closure.

City officials encourage members of the public with tickets to the Obama speech at Invesco Field to use public transportation or walk to the venue rather than park on neighborhood streets, where residential parking permits will be required.